Children's program links heritage to interacting in today's world

Bathsheba Etheridge founded a children's program she calls Ujima, a word borrowed from the East African, Swahili language that means "collective work and responsibility."

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Posted Jan. 29, 2013 at 9:51 AM
Updated Jan 29, 2013 at 9:59 AM

Posted Jan. 29, 2013 at 9:51 AM
Updated Jan 29, 2013 at 9:59 AM

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Bathsheba Etheridge founded a children's program she calls Ujima, a word borrowed from the East African, Swahili language that means "collective work and responsibility."

Etheridge is a former New York City teacher who worked with gifted and challenged students from the elementary through high school grades. She's now a substitute teacher in the Mount Pocono school district in addition to volunteering as Ujima's director. Her experience as an educator has given her a deep understanding of the unique challenges our children face today. "I know how they think; what they need to know; and, just as importantly, what they want to know," she says.

The Ujima program is designed to teach African-American boys and girls from ages 4 through 18 how to be responsible to family and society, with a focus on good health and artistry. "I want the group to learn a sense of community and how to come together for success," Etheridge says. They stress the importance of family life first: how to follow the rules and stay safe while looking after younger siblings, helping parents around the house, doing homework and preparing for the next day.

Etheridge said, "We do activities around a theme that are fun and educational." The group has kids' cooking classes and studies dining table etiquette and the importance of sitting together as a family for meals. They had a tea party with herbal teas as part of a lesson in staying healthy. They learn practical skills that range from crochet to the ancient Egyptian art of cornrow hairstyling. Music, dance and poetry are part of their repertoire, too.

The purpose of Ujima is to give participants self-confidence as they transition through childhood, the teens and on to young adulthood. They study black history so they can have a greater sense of who they are and appreciate the diversity of our society. Etheridge says, "It's important for children to connect with their past and know their own history, legacy and culture. If the kids take pride in their ancestors' contributions to the country and to the world, they will feel like they belong to a bigger story."

Etheridge believes that self-esteem and ties to community are antidotes to the lure of drugs, cults and gangs. "I don't want my kids to get lost," she says.

It's free to join Ujima, and meetings are held monthly on a Saturday at the Eastern Monroe Public Library Hughes branch at 1002 N. Ninth Street in Stroudsburg (570-421-0800). The next one is scheduled for 2-5 p.m. Saturday. The Ujima kids will join another group that helps handicapped children socialize, and they'll make puppets. Call Etheridge at 570-730-4022 for details.

Etheridge believes it is incumbent on the community to foster intercultural richness. "Get involved in the lives of children," she said. "So much is going on — they are dealing with many challenges we didn't face even a generation ago. Have listening ears; sometimes all they need is to be heard."